Rod-type closure

ABSTRACT

A rod-type closure for locking switch cabinet doors or like doors or flaps comprises a flat strip rod which is arranged so as to be guided parallel to a door edge, arranged in a bevel space, and having at least one locking part arranged thereon. The closure further comprises a closure element arranged on a door frame for receiving the locking part such that it locks. It further includes an actuating device for longitudinal displacement of the flat strip rod between an opening position and a locking position. The flat strip rod forming the locking part is offset out of its longitudinal plane along at least a part of its longitudinal extension thereby forming an offset portion. The flat strip profile in or adjacent to the offset portion, together with one of its offset or non-offset narrow edges forming a locking surface over which is engaged a hook part of the closure element arranged parallel to the plane of the flat strip rod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is directed to a rod-type closure for locking preferablyswitch cabinet doors or the like doors or flaps, comprising a flat striprod which is arranged so as to be guided parallel to the door edge,preferably in the bevel space, and has at least one locking partarranged thereon, further comprising a closure element arranged on thedoor frame for receiving the locking part such that it locks, and withan actuating device for the longitudinal displacement of the flat striprod between an opening position and a locking position.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A rod-type closure of this kind is already known from EP 0 261 268.

In sheet-metal cabinets with leaf-type cabinet doors which are providedwith an angled edge and accordingly form a bevel space, the requirementsfor the closing action of the rod-type closure are especially highbecause such doors have only limited stability. Cabinet doors of thistype can warp and deform under certain conditions. Moreover, these doorsare exposed to particularly high stresses in certain applications. Forexample, when used as doors of electric switch cabinets containinghigh-voltage switches, arcing can occasionally occur inside the cabinet,resulting in explosive release of arc gases which leads to high pressureloading of the doors.

For this reason it is important that rod-type closures provided for suchsheet-metal cabinets are constructed in such a way that they connect thedoor securely with the body of the cabinet so that the door can alsoreceive the loads mentioned above. In this regard, the shape and bearingof the locking rods with their locking parts deserve particularattention.

According to EP 0 261 268, the flat strip rod has pins making up thelocking part, these pins being round in cross section and attached tothe flat strip material, for example, by riveting. During the closingprocess, these pins move into a bracket with a U-shaped section orprofile.

In a rod-type closure known from DE 42 10 586 A1 which is similar to thetype mentioned above, a 90-degree turn serves as a locking part of theflat strip rod, while a hook-shaped structural component part is used asclosure element.

A disadvantage in the first reference cited above consists in itsrelatively complicated construction which should be simplified whileretaining the advantages already achieved. The other reference has thedisadvantage that the starting region formed by the turn in the flatstrip rod in the locking area causes problems in that the rearengagement formed in this way leads to high friction and accordinglyalso to high wear and impedes movement during the moving in process.Another disadvantage consists in that the turn extends toward both sidesand accordingly results in a relatively broad construction, althoughonly one of these two sides is usable, so that there is an unnecessarywaste of space. Further, the rotational loading of the rod is quiteextensive, which likewise increases the friction in the rod guides andfurther increases the forces needed for actuating.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the invention to improve a rod-type closureof the type mentioned above so as to simplify construction and thusprovide for more economical manufacture while preventing excessivefriction and excessive wear and eliminating difficulties with theinsertion movement in a particularly slender and stable construction.

This object is met in that the flat strip rod forming the locking partin the rod-type closure of the type mentioned above is offset out of itslongitudinal plane along at least a part of its longitudinal extension,in that the flat strip profile in or adjacent to the offset portiontogether with one of its narrow edges, either the offset (outer) narrowedge or the narrow edge which is not offset (inner narrow edge), formsthe locking surface over which is engaged a hook part of the closureelement arranged parallel to the plane of the flat strip rod.

Thus, rather than roller pins with their complicated mounting, theoffset or bend serves in this case to lock the locking rod, andaccordingly the door connected with it, with the door frame in that thebend moves behind a projection or hook part of the closure element whichis supported by the door frame, or to release the locking arrangementbetween the door and the door frame in that the bend moves into theregion of a protuberance or strip projecting in the same direction. Inthis latter case, an edge lying in the plane of the rod is used forlocking so that the rotational loading of the rod is practicallyeliminated.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, theflat strip rod is offset in its offset portion by an amountcorresponding to one- to two-times the thickness of the flat strip rod.This amount is sufficient to ensure an adequately reliable lockingwithout the rod, including its offset region, and the associatedretaining element taking up too much space.

In particular, it is advantageous when the flat strip rod, in its offsetportion, is offset out of the plane of the rod in one direction.Alternatively, the offset portion of the flat strip rod can also beoffset first in one direction and then in the other, opposite direction,preferably by the same amount in each instance, e.g., by the thicknessof the rod. With a suitable construction of the retaining element, thislikewise reduces the effect of torque on the flat strip rod because thetwo lever arms are oppositely directed and cancel each other out.

In accordance with another further development of the invention, one orboth narrow sides of the flat strip rod can be constructed withtrough-shaped offsets or recesses in the two regions of the bendinglines forming the offset. An undercut region is thus formed in thefinished bent rod which improves guiding and locking in the retainingelement, resulting in particularly large retaining forces, e.g., theclosure can be used in switch cabinets with explosive arc discharges.

In accordance with another further development of the invention, theclosure element is L-shaped, wherein one of the legs of the "L" servesfor fastening the closure element, the other leg of the "L" beingconstructed at its free end as a hook part which engages over thelocking surface of the flat strip rod. According to another furtherdevelopment of the invention, the closure element is outfitted at thefree end of its other L-leg serving as fastening with a guide web forone of the broad sides of the locking portion of the flat strip rod.

In a construction of this kind, the guide web of the closure element canhave a slanted or curved stop surface in the displacement direction ofthe flat strip rod (and also vertically thereto).

At least one protuberance or a web can project from the middle region ofthe fastening leg of the L-shaped closure element in the direction ofthe trough-shaped recesses of the flat strip rod so as to form anadditional guide.

The guidance can be further improved in that a protuberance or web ofthis kind also projects from the engaging hook part, preferably in exactalignment with the protuberance or web proceeding from the fastening legof the closure element.

The closure element can also have a U-shaped cross section and can befastened by the web of the U, while a hook part engaging over the flatstrip rod which is guided between the U-Iegs proceeds from the free endsof the U-legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained more fully with reference to embodimentexamples which are shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a rear view of the bevel space of a sheet-metal cabinetdoor with a rod-type closure which is installed in this bevel space andwhich has a flat strip rod with a locking portion and associated closureelement in a first embodiment form of the rod-type closure according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along line 3--3 of the FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view along line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view along line 5--5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a side view and FIG. 6B is a sectional view showing detailsof the offset portion of the flat strip rod and a closure elementfitting the latter in one embodiment form;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C show another embodiment form in corresponding viewsand in another view from the top;

FIGS. 8A and 8B and 8C show corresponding views of another embodimentform;

FIGS. 9A and 9B show corresponding views of another embodiment form; and

FIG. 10 shows a sectional view similar to that in FIG. 5 along the lineof sight X in FIG. 11;

FIG. 11 shows a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1 of a somewhatdifferent construction of the locking rod with modified locking portionand modified associated closure element;

FIG. 12 shows a side view along line 12--12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows an axial sectional view along section line 13--13 of FIG.11;

FIG. 14 shows a view similar to FIG. 10 to further illustrate thefastening of the locking part at the door frame;

FIG. 15 shows the locking part of FIG. 14 in a top view;

FIG. 16 shows the locking part of FIG. 14 in a side view;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the fastening opening in the door frame whichis suitable for the locking part according to FIG. 15 or 16;

FIG. 18A shows a top view of a fastening nut such as that used in FIG.14;

FIG. 18B is a side view of the fastening nut of FIG. 18A;

FIG. 19 shows an associated countersink head screw;

FIG. 20 shows a rear view of the locking part according to FIG. 15 withinserted screw and nut according to FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 21 shows a plan view according to FIG. 20, but after actuation ofthe nut with screw;

FIGS. 22A and 22B show a nut with fitted tips;

FIGS. 23A and 23B show a locking rod used according to FIG. 14 in twoviews of the locking region at an offset of 90°;

FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C show three different views of a locking part of asomewhat different construction with two fastening holes.

FIG. 25 shows an alternative configuration of the locking rod.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 11 are plan views of the bevel space 10 in a sheet-metalcabinet door 12 showing a rod-type closure 14, 214 which is arranged inthis space and which comprises a lock 16, 216 from which proceeds a rod18, 218 extending in the bevel space 10, this rod 18, 218 beingdisplaceably supported within the lock 16, 216 on one side, but also onthe other side at the door leaf 12 in a rod bearing 20. The sheet-metaldoor 12 is hinged at the cabinet body 24 via joint hinges 22 (see FIG.2) which, in turn, make use of the other bevel space 11 formed betweenthe outer fold 26 and an inner profile plate 30 which is welded onto thedoor leaf and receives a seal 28.

As will be seen from FIG. 3 which shows a section along line 3--3 inFIG. 1 or from FIG. 13 which shows a section along line 13--13 of FIG.11, a closure element 32 or 232, which will be described more fullyhereinafter, is also located at the cabinet body 24 and penetrates intothe offset or bend 34 or 234 formed by the closure rod 18 or 218 andthus secures and locks the door leaf 12 at the cabinet body 24, thisdoor leaf 12 being connected with the rod 18 or 218, e.g., via the guide20 (see also FIG. 4) and the lock 16 or 216.

In the sectional view along line 5--5 in FIG. 1 which shows anembodiment form of a closure element 32 (see FIG. 5) and also, forexample, in FIG. 6A and an alternative embodiment form 232 withreference to FIG. 14 and FIGS. 23A, 23B it will be seen that the rods 18or 218 which are rectangular in cross section and are formed by flatstrip material lie with an offset or bend 34 or 234 in a closure element32 or 232, wherein a hook part 36 or 236 which is formed by the closureelement 32 or 232 engages over this bent part 34 or 234.

In the embodiment forms shown in FIGS. 5 and 14, the closure element 32or 232 is substantially L-shaped, wherein one L-leg 38 or 238 serves tofasten the closure element 32 or 232 to the cabinet body 24, e.g., inthat this leg 38 has a threaded bore hole into which a fastening screw51 can be screwed in order to secure the closure element 32, wherein theclosure element 32 can also have means for preventing rotation, e.g., inthe form of a V-shaped opening in the cabinet body 24, in whichcorresponding projections of the closure element 32 can be inserted soas to be locked against rotation.

In the embodiment form according to FIG. 14, the leg 238 is providedwith a countersunk bore hole 239 for a countersink head screw 241according to FIG. 19, which screw 241 can be screwed into a special nut243 according to FIG. 18A (top view) and FIG. 18B (side view). Thespecial nut has a rectangular shape with a greater length than width andcan be made possible by a corresponding rectangular opening 245 in thedoor frame region 24 for the purpose of mounting the closure element 232with inserted screw 241 and attached nut 243.

In order to enable a determined alignment of the special nut 243 withrespect to the contact surface 247 of the closure element 232 (see FIG.20), a projection 253 adapted to the opening 245 first projects fromthis contact surface 247 (FIG. 16). This projection 253 fixes theclosure element 232 in the opening 245 and has a height equal to orsomewhat less than the thickness of the plate material in which theopening 245 is made. Proceeding from this projection 253, in addition,are two shoulders or protuberances 249, 251 which form stops for thespecial nut 243 (FIG. 18A) when the screw 241 is turned in theunscrewing direction, whereupon, due to the friction between the screwand the nut which may be reinforced, as the case may be, by a plasticpoint on the external thread of the screw 241 (see FIG. 19), the nut 243is turned (FIG. 20) such that it contacts the shoulders 249 withcorresponding stop faces 257 and, in so doing, is aligned in such a waythat in this position the closure element 232 with protuberances 249,251, nut 243 and projection 253 can project through the opening 245 inthe housing or frame 24. After being inserted, the screw 241 is turnedin the clockwise direction (screwed in) by a screwdriver or the liketool so that the nut 243 is first turned by 90° into the position shownin FIG. 21 due to the friction between the screw and nut and the freemovability of the nut 243 behind the sheet-metal panel of the door frame24. In this position, the nut again stops at the projections 249 and 251and the screw 241 can now be tightened in the nut 243 by continuedturning, whereupon the parts of the nut 243 contacting the rear of thesheet-metal panel secure the closure element 232 as can be seen in FIG.14.

According to FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, this special nut can also haveprojections or pointed teeth 259 which face in the direction of thefastening surface of the door frame 24 and dig into the material of thedoor frame 24 when the screw 241 is tightened, e.g., so as to provide anadditional securing effect preventing the nut 249 from loosening byitself when the closure is operated, but which serve especially toground the nut if the sheet-metal cabinets are painted in that the teethpenetrate through the paint to the metal surface.

The embodiment form described above accordingly provides for asimplified assembly, since the closure element 232 can be suppliedtogether with inserted countersink head screw 241 and attached specialnut 243 and this structural component part can simply be insertedthrough a corresponding rectangular opening 245 in the door frame or thelike and the fastening screw 241 can then be rotated until tightened. Inso doing, the closure element 232 is automatically aligned by itsprojection 253 and the special nut 243 is then rotated into its lockingposition and tightened by actuation of the screw 241. This signifies aconsiderable simplification of assembly and no structural componentparts can get lost.

A possibility for guiding the flat strip rod is shown in the sectionalview 4--4 from FIG. 1 (see FIG. 4). This rod guide is formed of plasticand is arranged in the corner space of the bevel space 10 so as to befixed with respect to rotation by means of a stay bolt arrangement 58and is so constructed that the flat strip rod 18 can be inserted intothe guide laterally by bending away a projection or protuberance 54beforehand, whereupon the fastening nut 56 of a welded bolt, forexample, is tightened so that the protuberance 54 presses against therod 18 so as to secure it. When the forces to be absorbed are greater, atwo-part metal rod guide can also be used.

FIGS. 3, 4, 13 and 14 show that the lock 16 or 216 serves simultaneouslyto drive the flat strip rod 18 or 218 and as a rod bearing, so that anadditional rod bearing such as is shown at reference number 20 in FIG. 1can now be dispensed with. The rod is driven by the teeth of a pinion 62or 262 which engage in corresponding perforations 66 in the center ofthe rod, this pinion 62 or 262 making up part of a lock nut 64 or 264which is, in turn, rotatable by means of an actuating device such as ahandle, swivel lever, plug-in lock or the like which is guided outthrough the door leaf 12. The pinion 62 or 262 slides the rod 18 or 218up or down when rotated by means of its engagement in the perforationsor teeth 66 of the rod 18 or 218.

Different embodiment forms 32, 132, 232, 332, 432 of the closure elementand associated offset 34, 134, 234, 334, 434 of the flat strip rod 18,118, 218 will now be discussed more fully. This closure element ispreferably arranged near rod guides 20 (see FIG. 1) in order that thelever arm between the guide 20 and the lock, e.g., 42, formed by theclosure element and the associated bend or offset, e.g., 34, can be madeas small as possible so that the bending load of the flat strip rod,e.g., 18, is accordingly as small as possible.

A first embodiment form of a closure element 32 of this kind is shown ina side view in FIG. 6A and in a view in cross section in FIG. 6B,wherein the embodiment form shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is similar to thatshown in FIGS. 1 to 5. It is noted in addition that the closure element32 at the free end of an L-leg 38 which is fastened to the door frameserves a guide web 40 for one broad side 44 of the rod portion of theflat strip rod 18 adjoining the bent region 34. This guide web 40prevents the rod 18 from bending away from the leg 46 of the closureelement 32 and thereby disengaging from the hook part 36. This lock isextremely stable and exerts a shearing load and bending load on the rodprincipally in its larger cross-sectional extension, while the load inthe smaller cross-sectional extension and the rotational load remainsmall because the corresponding corners, protuberances and guide stripsall lie very close to the longitudinal axis of the rod and the lever armlengths remain small.

Accordingly, the bent portion 34 will not be released until, forexample, the rod 44 is displaced, e.g., upward, into a position shown indashed lines in FIG. 6A by means of the actuation of actuating means,not shown. The region of the hook part 36 which is not bent, as shown inFIG. 6B, can now slide past in an upward direction and the door leaf canaccordingly be swiveled away from the door frame. When the door isclosed again, the region which is not bent penetrates again into theslot 48 formed between the end face of the hook part 36 and the guideweb 40, wherein this penetration is facilitated, especially when theflat strip rod 18 and closure element 32 are not precisely aligned withone another, in that the hook part 36 has a slope 50 and the guide web40 has a slope 52 which together form a kind of funnel. When the rodreaches the position shown in FIG. 6B, the rod 18 can be moved downagain, e.g., via the lock 16 (FIG. 1), according to FIG. 6A, wherein adiagonal surface 60 of the beginning of the bend 34 could also serve tofacilitate the running in movement at the edge 66 when the bent region34 is situated completely outside of the closure element 32. Theunderside 70 of the hook part 36 or 136 (see FIG. 7C) could have anotherdiagonal surface 68 so that if the door is not completely pushed closed,e.g., owing to the sealing material 28, it can be ensured that the bend34 or 134, when moving in, will not be blocked by the end face of thehook 36 or 136, but rather will slide on the diagonal surface 68 and, inso doing, will press the locking rod 18 or 118 into the closure element32 or 132 and will accordingly pull the door closed. The movement iscontinued until the position of the locking rod 18 shown, e.g., in FIG.6A is reached with respect to the retaining element 32, in whichposition the closure element 32 is loaded substantially centrally, sothat ability to absorb forces is maximized when the closure element 32is fastened by a central screw (according to FIG. 1) or, for instance,by two side screws (in areas 72 shown in FIG. 6A) at the cabinet body24.

As can further be seen from FIG. 6A, the extension of the hook part 36is somewhat less than that of the other parts of the closure element 32,namely especially the two L-legs 38 or 46 and the guide web 40. As aresult of this step, the necessary movement path of the locking rod 18for opening and closing is shorter while retaining substantially thesame stability and guiding accuracy.

While the embodiment form according to FIGS. 6A and 6B operates in sucha way that the door can be opened when the locking rod 18 moves out ofthe position shown in solid lines either upward or downward, theembodiment forms shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C work in exactly theopposite way: when the locking rod 118 which is constructed identicallyin all other respects is located in a middle position indicated by solidlines, this locking rod 118 is so disposed that the bent area 134 movespast the hook part 136 when the door leaf is swiveled open or closedwith respect to the door frame. On the other hand, if the rod 118 isdisplaced upward or downward (see the dashed lines) the part of the rod118 which is not bent moves under the hook part 136 and it is no longerpossible to open the door. In this embodiment form, the longitudinalextension of the hook part 136 is somewhat smaller than in theembodiment form according to FIGS. 6A and 6B, just as, conversely, theaxial extension of the bent region 134 is somewhat greater.Consequently, the accuracy of the displacement of the locking rod 118does not need to be as exact in order to reach the open area. However,the closure elements 32 or 132 are identically constructed in otherrespects, including the stop surfaces, mentioned above, for facilitatingthe closing process in the event of imprecise alignment of the closurerod 118 or 18 with respect to the closure element 132 or 32.

In addition, it is noted that the shorter axial extension of the hookpart 36 or 136 as compared with the total extension of the closureelement 32 or 132 results in surface regions 72 which are accessiblefrom above and which make it possible to provide countersunk bore holes74 (FIG. 7B) for fastening screws with countersink heads, thus enablingfastening screws to be fitted from above also, in contrast to thearrangement according to FIGS. 1 and 5. A countersunk bore hole of thiskind is designated by reference number 74 in FIG. 7B. Since there aretwo such surfaces 72, two fastening screws can be provided in a simplemanner, which additionally secures the closure element 32 or 132 withrespect to rotation.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment form for a closure element 232 which isprovided for single-hole fastening and, as shown in FIG. 13, can befastened with a countersink head screw 141 with a standard nut 143 or,as is shown in FIGS. 15 to 22, by means of a special fastening which hasalready been described above.

The closure element 232 has diagonally extending stop faces 268 withwhich the bent regions 234 of the locking rod 218 cooperate, thusfacilitating the moving in of the bent region. It is significant thatboth here and in the other embodiment forms the fastening axis of thescrew 141 and nut 143 is exactly flush with the axis E of the lockingrod (outside of its bent regions) so that no torque acts on the lockingrod 218 as a whole when it receives closing forces, only the lever armcaused by the bend plays a part. Another advantage consists in that thelocking rod can be turned about its longitudinal axis by 180° (e.g., forthe purpose of changing the actuating device), which under certainconditions may require rotating the closure element (e.g., 232), butdoes not require alteration of the fastening--since the rotation doesnot change the position of the fastening screw (e.g., 141, 241).

The improved fastening shown in FIGS. 15 to 22 has the further advantagethat the fastening can also be effected when the interior of theswitching cabinet, that is, the surface on which the special nut 243according to FIG. 14 comes to rest, is inaccessible or only poorlyaccessible when assembling the closure element 232. The reason for thisis that the closure element with its projections 249, 251, 253,including the screw 241 and special nut 243, can be inserted through theopening 245 from the outside, whereupon the screw 241 which is alsoaccessible from this side is turned and the entire arrangement can besecured as was already described above. In this case, also, the axis ofthe screw 239 advisably lies exactly in the axial line E of the lockingrod.

If particularly high stability is desired, fastening can also beeffected by means of two openings in the closure element 332 and byusing two countersink head screws as is shown in FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C.In other respects, the construction of the locking element 332 shown inthese figures is similar to that of the arrangement according to FIG.10, again with stop bevels 368 and another diagonal surface 369 at theend of the guide web 340 which is intended to facilitate the moving inof the locking rod when the door is closed. The fastening is effected inthis case by means of two countersink head screws with accompanyingconventional nuts as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 13.

Since the hook region 336 according to FIG. 24C is set back to theextent that the countersinks 371 receiving the countersink screw headsremain freely accessible so that a tool such as a screwdriver can beapplied, the associated bore holes 373 can be situated such that theircenter point is flush with a line below the hook 368 (in contrast toFIGS. 14, 15). The axial plane of the locking rod running in at thisclosure element 332 can be oriented such that no turning forces areexerted on the locking rod when locking is effected in such a way thatthe region of the locking rod which is not bent serves for lockingpurposes, while the bent region is the region releasing the locking rodin the open position of the closure. This is discussed more fullyhereinafter with reference to FIG. 7A.

This is to be viewed in contrast to the fact that in the embodiment formaccording to FIGS. 14, 15 the axis of the opening 239 shown in thedrawing is located farther away from the hook 268 and is thereforesuitable for rods which lock with their bent region and whose normalregion which is aligned with the opening 239 is located outside of thehook arrangement 236.

The arrangement according to FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C is accordinglysomewhat narrower, but somewhat shorter in exchange, while thearrangement according to FIG. 12 or 13 or FIGS. 14 to 16 is somewhatshorter, but slightly wider in exchange.

While the narrow sides of the closure rod 18 or 118 shown in FIGS. 6 and7 lie in a plane, this is not the case in the closure rod 218 shown inFIGS. 23A and 23B. In this case, the bent region is pressed in such away that diagonal stop surfaces 284, 292 are formed which begin at anoffset relative to the narrow edge plane 291 of the part of the lockingrod 218 which is not bent and terminate in a plane 293 which is alignedwith plane 291.

In the embodiment form shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, the flat strip rod318 has a construction similar to that of the rod 18 or 118 in FIGS. 6and 7, but has, in addition, trough-shaped recess regions 84 or 86 whichare worked into the region of the two bending lines 76, 78 forming theoffset in the narrow sides 80, 82. In this case, the recess regions 84or 86 are arranged on both sides so that the configuration shown in FIG.8C appears axially symmetrical along the transverse axis as well asalong the longitudinal axis. An additional guide channel 88 or 90 (seeFIG. 8B) is formed by these recesses 84, 86 which can be produced easilyby means of a stamping process. This guide channel 88 or 90 ispreferably formed in such a way that it has the same width as thatcorresponding to the material thickness S of the flat strip rod 318,which can be achieved in that the bend is effected from out of the planeof the flat strip rod by a magnitude 2S (see FIG. 8A) so that theoverall width of the arrangement (rod with bend) amounts to 3S.

Due to this guide channel 88 or 90, it is possible to provide thelocking means with even greater stability, wherein a protuberance or web92 directed toward the trough-like recess of the flat strip rodpreferably projects from the middle region of the fastening leg 438 ofthe closure element 432 (FIG. 8B). Another protuberance or web 94oriented to the engaging hook part 436 can also project from the latter436. In addition to the increased stability in the arrangement overallas a result of these additional guides, there are also stop surfaces 92,94 which facilitate the moving in of the narrow sides 80, 82 either inthe region which is not bent (similar to FIG. 7) or in the bent region(similar to FIG. 6).

Finally, reference is had to FIGS. 9A and 9B in which the locking rod418 is offset first in one direction 96 and then in the other oppositedirection 98, preferably by the same amount, along its offset portion A.In the illustrated embodiment form, this amount correspondsapproximately to the rod thickness. The overall width of such anarrangement is again approximately three-times the thickness S of theflat strip rod, that is, 3S in this case, so that the width of anassociated closure element 532 according to FIG. 9B substantiallycorresponds to that of the embodiment form of FIG. 8B. This closureelement 532 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, wherein the web538 of this cross section serves as a fastening surface, while a hookpart 536 projects inward from each of the free ends of the U-legs 546,behind which hook part 536 the respective bent part 96 or 98 can liewhen the closure is moved into its locking position, since the rod issupported at both sides in this case insofar as the hook parts 536 ofthe closure element extend over distance A.

The advantage of this arrangement consists in its extensive symmetrywhich makes it possible to use the rod elsewhere without changing theratios or proportions. Another advantage is that the locking rod is nottorsionally loaded.

Instead of a complete bend along the entire cross-sectional length (FIG.8C), it can suffice to bend out only one upper (with reference to FIG.6B) end of the rod 418 on one side in such a way that a bend is formedonly at the upper end and this bend decreases to zero again at the lowerend of the cross-sectional extension (see FIG. 24). Such a shape couldeasily be used in a closure element according to FIG. 6B, for example.FIG. 25 shows an alternate configuration of the locking rod 418.

The bend 99 shown in FIG. 1 can be omitted if the rod 18 is guided at aconstant distance from the fold or bevel 100 of the door leaf 12, whichis made possible, for example, by another arrangement or another designof the rod guide 20. The closure element 32 fastened to the door framewould then also be brought closer to the bevel 100 of the door leaf 12,e.g., until the surface 33 of the closure element 32 contacted the innersurface 35 of the bevel 100 enabling an additional guiding of the doorleaf with respect to the door frame.

As a whole, not only is production simplified compared with the priorart, but the arrangement is also much more compact and can beaccommodated in a narrower space. Because of the narrowness, the leverarms of the lock are also smaller, which increases the ability to absorbforces while retaining the same material thickness.

A particular advantage of the constructions of the closure elementaccording to FIGS. 14 to 16, as well as the construction according toFIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C in connection with the locking rod according toFIGS. 23A and 23B is the fact that the bent profile (see, e.g., FIG.23B) is adapted to the profile of the hook 263 of the closure element232 according to FIG. 15 as viewed from the top (this is realized withslightly less exactitude in the closure element 332 according to FIG.24C).

Due to this construction, the closure rod 218 can operate in such a waythat when oriented in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 7A itcauses the door to be open in a middle position, but causes the door tobe locked in a position above or below the latter. When the rod 218 isrotated by 180° along its longitudinal axis, the position according toFIG. 6A results in which the door is locked in the middle position andis open in a position above or below the middle position. Both modes ofoperation can be achieved with the same closure element as that shown inFIGS. 14 to 16, for example.

Instead of rotating the locking rod 218 by 180° around the longitudinalaxis for the purpose of changing operation, the closure element 235 canalso be turned 180° about an axis parallel to the axis of its fasteningscrew in order to achieve the same effect.

This possibility of reversing operation is especially attractive inswivel lever closures in which the swivel lever can be locked, e.g., ina horizontal position and in two vertical positions opposite oneanother, wherein these three positions of the swivel lever are tied to amiddle position of the bend of the locking rod with respect to theclosure element and to a position below and above this position, e.g.,see PCT publication WO 94/15049 of the present Applicant. Thus, simplyby turning the locking rod, for example, the middle position of thehandle can be switched from an open position of the closure to a closingposition and vice versa.

On the other hand, this switchability which is made possible by theinvention is not provided in DE 42 10 586 A1, for instance. When thelocking rod used in this reference is rotated 180° about itslongitudinal axis, there is no change in the geometrical arrangement andaccordingly no change in function.

The invention is commercially applicable in a variety of environmentssuch as switch cabinet construction, for example.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent the presentinvention it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges may be made therein without departing from the true spirit andscope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A closure for locking a door, comprising:a flatstrip rod arranged so as to be guided parallel to a door edge, said flatstrip rod including thereon an offset rod portion not in a longitudinalplane of said flat strip rod but remaining within a second plane of saidflat strip rod extending along a width of said flat strip rod, saidoffset rod portion defining a locking part of said flat strip rod, and aportion of said flat strip rod in or adjacent to the offset rod portion,together with an edge of said portion, forming a locking surface; aclosure element arranged on a door frame for receiving said lockingpart, said closure element including a hook part arranged parallel tothe longitudinal plane of the flat strip rod; and an actuating devicefor longitudinally displacing said flat strip rod between an openingposition and a locking position, said hook part of the closure elementengaging the locking surface of said flat strip rod when said flat striprod is in said locking position.
 2. The closure according to claim 1,wherein the offset rod portion of said flat strip rod is offset from anon-offset portion of said flat strip rod by an amount corresponding toone to two times a width of the flat strip rod.
 3. The closure accordingto claim 2, wherein the offset rod portion of the flat strip rod isoffset from the non-offset portion in one direction.
 4. The closureaccording to claim 2, wherein the offset rod portion of the flat striprod is first offset from the non-offset portion in a first direction andthen is offset from the non-offset portion in a second direction equaland opposite to the offset in the first direction.
 5. The closureaccording to claim 3, wherein the flat strip rod includes therein atleast one narrow side and said at least one narrow side of the flatstrip rod forms at least one trough-shaped recess in at least oneportion of a bend in said flat strip rod that forms the offset rodportion.
 6. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the closureelement is L-shaped with two L-legs, and one L-leg of the L-shapedclosure element operates to fasten the closure element and the otherL-leg is formed at its free end as a hook part which engages over thelocking surface of the flat strip rod.
 7. The closure according to claim6, wherein said L-leg that operates to fasten the closure elementincludes thereon a guide web for receiving a broad side of the lockingpart of the flat strip rod.
 8. The closure according to claim 7, whereinthe guide web has a slanted or curved stop surface slanted or curved ina direction corresponding to a direction of movement of the flat striprod.
 9. The closure according to claim 7, wherein the guide web has aslanted stop surface slanted in a direction that is vertical to an axisof the flat strip rod.
 10. The closure according to claim 6, wherein theclosure element includes at least one protuberance or web projectingtherefrom in a direction of said at least one trough-shaped recess ofthe flat strip rod.
 11. The closure according to claim 10, wherein saidhook part of said closure element includes a projecting protuberancethat is aligned with said protuberance or web projecting from theclosure element.
 12. The closure according to claim 4, wherein theclosure element has a U-shaped cross section and is fastened by a web ofthe U-shaped cross section, and a hook part engaging over the flat striprod which is guided between U-legs of the U-shaped cross sectionproceeds from free ends of the U-legs.
 13. The closure according toclaim 3, wherein the flat strip rod includes an offset area at the startof a bend in said flat strip rod and a surface of said offset areaascends from said flat strip rod at said bend.
 14. The closure accordingto claim 1, wherein the closure element includes at least one shoulderin a region of said closure element that receives a fastening screw foraligning the closure element in an opening in a fastening surface. 15.The closure according to claim 14, wherein the closure elements includestwo shoulders for limiting rotational movement of a fastening nut thatreceives the fastening screw.
 16. The closure according to claim 15,wherein the fastening nut has an elongated shape adapted to the openingin the fastening surface and adapted to fit through the opening in onedirection, but not in another direction at an offset relative to theopening.
 17. The closure according to claim 16, wherein the fasteningscrew, when tightened, turns the fastening nut in a second direction inwhich it is secured by the two shoulders.
 18. The closure according toclaim 13, wherein openings for receiving fastening screws are alignedwith the longitudinal plane of the flat strip rod in a non-offsetportion of said flat strip rod.
 19. The closure according to claim 1,wherein a lateral profile of the offset space formed by the offset rodportion has a shape similar to a truncated roof shape or is onlyslightly larger than the outer profile of the hook part of the closureelement.
 20. The closure according to claim 1, wherein a profile of theoffset rod portion recedes by a thickness of the flat strip rod in thetransition from the portion of the flat strip rod which is not offset tothe offset part of the flat strip rod and then increases continuouslyuntil achieving the original thickness.
 21. The closure according toclaim 1, wherein the closure element has at least one countersunk borehole for receiving a fastening screw whose axis is aligned with thelongitudinal axis of the part of the flat strip rod which is not offset.22. The closure according to claim 21, wherein the closure element formsan alignment projection in the region of a fastening surface of theclosure element, which alignment projection cooperates with a recess oropening at a surface at which the closure element is to be fastened. 23.The closure according to claim 22, wherein the closure element has, inthe region of the projection, a bore hole for a fastening screw which isscrewed into a radially elongated nut which fits through a correspondingopening in the fastening surface in at least one direction and does notfit through in at least one other direction.
 24. The closure accordingto claim 23, wherein the fastening screw has a friction-increasingdevice in the area of the thread.
 25. The closure according to claim 23,wherein the nut has teeth on one contact face.
 26. The closure accordingto claim 25, wherein the nut has recesses in its lateral edges forreceiving shoulders of the closure element.
 27. The closure according toclaim 1, wherein a bore hole for fastening the closure element liesoutside an alignment area of the hook part of the closure element, or inthat the hook part recedes in the region of the bore and thus affordsaccess to the head of a fastening screw for a tool such as ascrewdriver.
 28. The closure according to claim 7, wherein the guide webhas a curved stop surface curved in a direction that is vertical to anaxis of the flat strip rod.
 29. The closure according to claim 6,wherein at least one web projects from the middle region of thefastening leg of the closure element in the direction of thetrough-shaped recesses of the flat strip rod.
 30. The closure accordingto claim 10, wherein a web also projects from the engaging hook part soas to be aligned with said protuberance or web projecting from theclosure element.
 31. The closure according to claim 1, wherein theclosure element forms an alignment projection in the region of afastening surface of the closure element, which alignment projectioncooperates with an opening at the fastening surface at which the closureelement is to be fastened.
 32. The closure according to claim 1, whereinthe hook part recedes in the region of the bore hole and thus affordsaccess to the head of a fastening screw for a tool such as ascrewdriver.